Peach tree named ‘P.F. 20-007’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach  Prunus persica,  tree having the following unique combination of desirable features: 
     1. The new and distinct variety of peach is of spreading growth and a regular and productive bearer of large peaches having a diameter of between 2½″ and 3″ while bearing heavy crops exceeding 600 bushels per acre in a test block in Michigan. The tree planting was based on 300 trees per acre. 
     2. Producing a very firm fruit having a resilient flesh texture. 
     3. Blossoms are non-showy when in full bloom. 
     4. A substantially spherical to oblate fruit with skin of red overlaying a medium yellow color at maturity. 
     5. Mid-season maturing fruit of good taste. 
     6. A mid-season maturing fruit of good storage and shelf life.

ORIGIN OF VARIETY

The new peach tree (Prunus persica) (hereinafter referred to as the P.F.20-007 peach tree) was originated by Paul Friday in the experimentalorchard, which is maintained for the purpose of breeding peach trees, atPaul Friday Farms Inc., located in Coloma, Mich. Coloma is located inthe southwest section of Michigan.

In an ongoing mass selection breeding program, superior seedlings ofunrecorded parentage are maintained as seed sources for the productionof seeds which are collected and planted in mass. The seed producingparent trees are maintained solely as proprietary trees for breedingpurposes and have not been released from the experimental orchard, wheresuch trees can be evaluated for their adaptability to local and regionalgrowing conditions. Seeds resulting from open pollination of the treesin the experimental orchard are regularly planted in mass to produce newpopulations of seedlings which are cultured and monitored to maturity.Trees with superior attributes are retained for further observation andtesting, and contribute seeds to advancing generations of newpopulations of seedlings.

The tree of this application, P.F. 20-007, was a selection from one suchcultivated seedling population, and was based on the numerous superiorgenetic attributes of this tree which are described in the botanicaldescriptions to follow. While not exhaustive, the botanical descriptionsto follow are believed to represent a reasonably complete botanicaldescription of the new peach tree which is sufficiently detailed todistinguish the tree from the most closely related trees within the samemarket class.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree was asexually propagated bybudding onto ‘Bailey’ rootstock as performed in the experimental orchardof Paul Friday Farms Inc., located in Coloma, Mich. The so statedpropagation demonstrates that such reproduction of the characteristicsof the tree are consistent and are established and transmitted throughsucceeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of moderate spreadinggrowth. A distinct characteristic of the P.F. 20-007 peach tree is thatit has large, strong right angle branching to support its heavy crops oflarge fruit. While fruit set is medium, this variety yields very bigcrops due to large fruit size, providing extraordinary yields and is aregular and productive bearer of large peaches.

The blossoms of the present peach tree bloom in mid-season and arecharacterized as being non-showy and do not open much past a verticalstate only, opening to a diameter of about ½ inch diameter during fullbloom with its pistil protruding beyond the plane of the opened blossompetals.

The fruit at maturity has crisp flesh of very clear yellow with redaround the pit.

The skin is smooth, having little down, and is sixty to eighty percentred or more overlying medium-yellow color. At maturity, the peach isspherical, having an average diameter ranging between 2½ inches to 3inches.

The fruit has a firm flesh and may be described as resilient to theextent that the flesh is yieldable and restorable to its original statewhen subjected to impact forces which may cause permanent deformities inpeaches of commercial varieties. The firmness of fruit facilitateshandling and packaging of the peaches without damaging the same forshipment. This results in less spoilage and also increases the shelflife.

The fruit matures in the mid-part of the peach growing season insouthwestern Michigan.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

In the accompanying photographic illustrations, the first photograph wastaken at a maturity stage of firm ripeness and demonstrates a typicalfruit positioned to show the blossom end exhibiting the round toslightly oblate fruit shape and the exceptional symmetry of the fruit.The color of the extensive solid blush and slightly mottled over-colorpatterns are depicted over the ground color of the fruit skin. Shownalso is a fruit that has been split on a plane ninety degrees to thesuture plane to depict the fruit flesh in cross-section. The conformanceof the pit cavity is illustrated, as well as the desirable ratio of thesize of the stone to the fruit size of this tree. The clear fleshtexture, yellow color, and red around the pit are also demonstrated.

The second photograph depicts the stem end of the fruit showing itsshort stem cavity and the limb imprints, demonstrating how tightly thefruit grows to the tree. Predominant smooth red color over yellow isalso shown.

The third photograph demonstrates stems of current season's growth at astage of about harvest season. It also shows young stem coloration, thetop side of leaves, the shape, color and character of leaves, and theinternode length.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY

The detailed botanical description of the foliage and fruit of the newvariety of peach tree is based upon observations of the specimens grownat Coloma, Mich. with the color terminology, other than the terminologyexpressed in common terms, in accordance with the Pantone MatchingSystem (PMS) as used internationally to identify printed colors.

Tree:

Height.—Unpruned 16′.

Width.—Unpruned 18′.

Size.—Medium-large.

Vigor.—Medium vigor, 2′ to 3′ per year.

Density.—Medium, pruning requirements heavy.

Form.—With routine pruning, this variety makes a large, spaciousvase-shaped tree with strong right-angle branching.

Production.—This variety is productive, growing very heavy crops oflarge fruit even if thinned only to close spacings, keeping the fruitfrom touching. Second generation trees withstood winter temperatures in1994 of 18 degrees Fahrenheit below zero without causing much damage tothe trees.

Bearer.—Consistent.

Disease resistance to bacterial leaf and fruit spot.—Very good. Nounusual susceptibility to diseases common to peach has been noted.

Trunk:

Size.—Stocky, large for Michigan conditions. Six-year old tree has 6″diameter trunk at 2′ from ground.

Surface.—Smooth to medium shaggy.

Color.—Medium brown.

Branches:

Size.—Large.

Surface.—Smooth to medium.

Internode length.—Standard size, normal at start of Season and small atthe end.

Lenticels.—Medium number, the size is ½″ to 1″ in length.

Color.—Dark gray.

Leaves:

Size.—Medium. Average length — 6″. Average width — 1¼″.

Form.—Lanceolate — pointed. Apex acute to acuminate. Base attenuate toacute.

Thickness.—Medium.

Texture.—Medium.

Margin.—Very finely serrated.

Petiole.—Medium length — medium thickness.

Gland.—Small, oval, usually one located on each side of the leaf base.

Color.—Upper surface green (5747u). Lower surface dull green (581u).

Flower buds:

Size.—Medium.

Length.—Medium.

Shape.—Typical of peach.

Flowers:

Blooming period.—Normally May 1 to May 6. Each bloom lasts about 10days.

Size.—Small, non-showy, about ½″ diameter.

Number.—About 4 per node.

Pollen.—Present, self-fertilizing.

Color.—Pink.

Fragrance.—None.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Average date of first picking.—In Michigan, August 25. Fruit maturesvery evenly and can be harvested in two or three pickings.

Average date of last picking.—In Michigan, September 1.

Productivity.—Over 600 bushels per acre.

Size.—Notably large, 95% of the fruit is 2½″ or larger in diameter andover one-half is 2¾″ or larger, and a substantial amount of fruit is 3″in diameter or larger.

Form.—Round to oblate, its diameter is somewhat greater than its height.

Suture.—Medium.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Texture.—Medium.

Tendency to crack.—None.

Down.—Slight.

Color.—60% to 80% red (1665u). Background color yellow (106c).

Flesh:

Texture.—Firm, clear without fiber.

Ripens.—Evenly.

Flavor.—Excellent — a balance between sweet and acid.

Aroma.—Pleasant.

Color.—Yellow (129c), pit cavity red (1665u).

Stone:

Type.—Freestone.

Size.—Average length 1½″; average width 1⅛″; average thickness ¾″.

Form.—Ovid.

Base.—Straight.

Apex.—Pointed.

Sides.—Nearly equal.

Surface.—Furrowed.

Color.—Reddish brown (1797u).

Tendency to crack.—Slight, about 3%.

Use: Dessert.

Shipping quality: Excellent.

Keeping quality: Good. Can be kept for up to 3 weeks in deeprefrigeration.

The tree and its fruits herein described may vary in slight detail as aresult of differences in climatic or soil conditions or culturalpractices under which the tree may be grown. It is to be understood thatthe description of the new variety as set forth herein is that of thetree grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at Coloma, Mich.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach treesubstantially as illustrated and described.